Athens Comes Alive for a Three-Day Carnival Weekend

Athens is preparing for a vibrant three-day Carnival weekend, packed with events for families, culture enthusiasts and night owls.

From interactive workshops and colourful street parades to live concerts and themed parties, the Greek capital offers countless ways to embrace the festive spirit.

Apokries, Greece’s Carnival season, takes place on the weekend before Lent in the Greek Orthodox calendar. Traditionally, revellers dress in costume, join parades and indulge in music, dancing and rich foods ahead of the more reflective period of Lent.

Interactive workshops and parades across Athens

On Saturday, the Municipality of Athens rolls out a series of free daytime events for families.

At the Athens Children’s Museum, children aged three and above can design carnival accessories inspired by the museum’s exhibits, with sessions running from 11am to 12:45pm and 1:15pm to 3pm.

Festive parades and live performances will animate neighbourhoods across the city centre. From 11am, the Quilombo percussion ensemble will fill Kypseli Square with Brazilian-inspired rhythms, while Nathanail Park in Kato Patisia hosts traditional dances and songs performed by local schools. Bloco Swingueira takes the stage at Petralona Grove at noon, and the Cultural Center of OTE Workers presents humorous Apokries songs and dances at Drakopoulou Park.

At the Athens Municipal Art Gallery (registration required), children aged four to seven will create miniature horses before parading through the gallery, drawing inspiration from works by visual artist Maria Ktistopoulou. Meanwhile, the Athens Big Band performs at 1pm along Fokionos Negri Street.

Concerts and family festivities in Peristeri

In western Athens, the Municipality of Peristeri continues the celebrations on Sunday with its “Unique Apokries 2026” programme at the Peristeri Exhibition Center.

The day opens at 12pm with a concert by XANAZOO, followed by VANILLA SWING at 7pm.

Families can enjoy a full schedule of free activities, including interactive theatre, shadow puppet shows, creative workshops, carnival games, dance sessions and digital experiences, alongside a lively Carnival Market. A 1,500-square-metre play zone features inflatables, trampolines, face painting and craft stations from 11am to 9pm.

The Gaming Arena offers immersive virtual experiences, while HADO — an augmented reality sports game — adds a modern twist to the festivities. Celebrations continue through the weekend and culminate on Clean Monday with traditional foods, live music and the city’s largest lagana bread, weighing an impressive 240 kilos.

Clean Monday celebrations at SNFCC

On Clean Monday, the Stavros Niarchos Foundation Cultural Center (SNFCC) in southern Athens hosts a free public celebration of music and dance.

From 12pm to 3pm, the “Heaven and Earth” festival will blend ancient Greek songs with contemporary interpretations of traditional melodies. Visitors can also take part in creative activities between 11:30am and 2:30pm, including kite-making and silkscreen printing at Stavros Niarchos Park.

The event brings together musicians and vocalists from different generations under the artistic direction of Vasiliki Karakosta, alongside traditional dance performances by the University of Athens Cultural Student Group. The festival will also be broadcast live on 103.7 radio.

Carnival nights energise the city

Athens’ nightlife adds another layer of excitement to the Carnival weekend.

On Saturday, Burger Disco Club in Syntagma transforms into a disco haven for a special Carnival edition of its XTRACAVANZA party, featuring DJ Taf and Sunshine Pedro. DJ Taf sets the tone with rediscovered disco classics fused with electronic beats until 3am, before Sunshine Pedro takes over for an after-hours set. Doors open at 8pm, with €5 entry — free for diners with reservations until 10pm.

On Sunday, Gazarte in Gazi hosts a Studio 54-themed Carnival party on its rooftop stage. With entry priced between €8 and €10, the event begins at 9pm with a DJ set by JJ Pallis, followed by a live performance from The Swingin’ Cats at 10pm. An after-party kicks off at 12:30am, keeping the dance floor alive with swing, rock ’n’ roll and pop hits as revellers channel the glamour of the legendary New York nightclub.

From family-friendly festivities to late-night celebrations, Athens promises an unforgettable Carnival weekend filled with colour, music and tradition.

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